We started advising the pilots who fly for American Airlines more than a decade ago. Over the years, we have trained APA board members and negotiation teams in leading-edge approaches to negotiating their opportunities and differences with management. In addition to delivering tailored training programs and providing strategic advice with respect to evolving events at the airline, we have helped facilitate talks between senior union and management leaders to improve their critical working relationships.

We pursued severance for a fired media executive through a suit launched against his employer — an engagement that involved hiring and guiding a strong legal team. The result: a robust exit package that allowed this executive, diagnosed with a mental illness, to take time off, improve his mental health, and transition to a new industry where he is now thriving.

“I first called NAI when I had a significant negotiation at my company over role definition and compensation for that role. NAI helped me prioritize my interests, reality-tested my expectations, and provided the latest standards on senior executive packages in my industry. Their advice made a very positive difference in me getting to an employment agreement that met my interests and those of my company.” —Technology Executive George McTaggart

“The immediate outcome of Peter Johnston’s involvement was a very successful contract negotiation. Following these negotiations, both Union and Company employees identified their utmost satisfaction with the process and results. Everyone’s most important needs have been satisfied in a situation where a win-win outcome was not obvious based on how we have negotiated historically.” —Ed West, Elkem Chemicals

Our Managing Director Peter Johnston led a labor-management engagement with a bitter history including recent lockouts and strikes. At the request of the union and management, Peter and his team started by training all parties together in best practices for negotiating with each other over the course of three days. Peter guided the parties in brainstorming solutions to their most challenging issues, helped structure talks, and mediated them until the parties were able to operate on their own. A ground-breaking contract was reached and the parties agreed this training and facilitation of their discussions were critical to their positive outcome.

We advised this corporate chairman on negotiating the terms and conditions of his employment contract with a venture capital firm after it purchased a controlling interest in his company. We acted as the Founder’s agent, negotiating salary, bonuses, equity, options, appearances, and licensing fees. We continued to act as this leading designer’s agent with third parties to maximize the value of each of his deals — and his brand — until his retirement.